Progesterone dosage question

After my first ivf I was using PIO shots. Right now I am going through ivf#2 and my ob wants me to use crinone gel, 8% inserts. The package says 1 a day but I hear some had to use these 3 times a day. Should I worry??? What was your dosage?

Also, I heard with these progesterone applicators there is discharge while I see nada. Am I getting enough progesterone???

Hi Helen! Don't worry about the dosage. I was on one a day and it worked great for me! Although, I should probably mention that I was on a lower dose prometrium a day too...but I don't think that did much compared to the crinone gel. Plus the pills are just horrible...made me sooo dizzy. But if you want, you could probably ask your doctor for a prometrium prescription, too...just as a back-up.

As for the discharge, it probably won't show up right away. It basically builds up by the cervix, and once there's enough of it, you start seeing this cottage cheese looking discharge (white and lumpy). My RE recommended that I use a finger and gently removed the buildup every 2-3 days or so, right before you insert the next dose. This will not only help with the discharge situation, but also increase absorption of the new gel.

As for your progesterone levels; if you choose to have it checked, remember that a vaginal supplement is deliver directly to the reproductive organs and does not go though the blood system first like PIO shots...so the levels in your blood might not be as high as it is "down there." My RE never checked my progesterone levels, because he said as long as I take the meds as prescribed, there should be more than enough to support a pregnancy.

BEST OF LUCK with everything! Sending you tons of SSBD for the 2WW and upcoming blood test!!!

I hated the gel. First it just didn't work for me and I ended up back on the shot after an almost miscarriage. But that's me, my friend swears by them and her pregnancy is just fine.
I hated the feeling of it. If you have ever used medication for a yeast infection its like that, all gooey and it always feels like you are leaking. Use panty liners! As for the discharge, its nasty. Like curdled milk and I was pulling it out for days after I stopped using it and I refused to have sex for a month after because well, Eww.
But like I said before, this is just my opinion and your Dr knows what's best for you. But they like to downplay the Ick factor. No one told me and I honestly thought I had some horrible infection at first.
If you are worried about your levels ask to have them checked after a few days and if they are low they can always increase the number you.do a day or put you back on the shots

Hi Helen! Don't worry about the dosage. I was on one a day and it worked great for me! Although, I should probably mention that I was on a lower dose prometrium a day too...but I don't think that did much compared to the crinone gel. Plus the pills are just horrible...made me sooo dizzy. But if you want, you could probably ask your doctor for a prometrium prescription, too...just as a back-up.

As for the discharge, it probably won't show up right away. It basically builds up by the cervix, and once there's enough of it, you start seeing this cottage cheese looking discharge (white and lumpy). My RE recommended that I use a finger and gently removed the buildup every 2-3 days or so, right before you insert the next dose. This will not only help with the discharge situation, but also increase absorption of the new gel.

As for your progesterone levels; if you choose to have it checked, remember that a vaginal supplement is deliver directly to the reproductive organs and does not go though the blood system first like PIO shots...so the levels in your blood might not be as high as it is "down there." My RE never checked my progesterone levels, because he said as long as I take the meds as prescribed, there should be more than enough to support a pregnancy.

BEST OF LUCK with everything! Sending you tons of SSBD for the 2WW and upcoming blood test!!!

I've been on Crinone gel 8% twice a day ever since my frozen embryo transfer 3/27. It works, I'm currently preggo with 10 weeks old twins!

I agree with the other ladies that it's annoying because it leaks. Definitely wear panty liners! Don't worry about not getting enough, there is more than enough progesterone in the gel even if you don't get it all out. I was told to try to stay horizontal after inserting it for about an hour then all the progesterone will be absorbed and whatever leaks out after is ok. I did mine right before bed and woke up early in the morning, stuck one in and went back to bed for an hour or so.

The discharge is pretty gross. Chunky, spongey, cottage cheesy is a good definition. It will take a while to start seeing the discharge, only when you have a lot built up. Don't be alarmed if it comes out brown, grey, or even black! It is just some dried up blood that is mixed in it. My Dr also told me to use my finger to get some of the chunkiness out. I do it daily in the shower, much easier to clean up and keeps the chunks away, it may even lighten the leaks.

During my 7 weeks I started spotting a little and totally freaked out, but it was due to the gel and the applicator. It really was light spotting for a hour so I still continued with the gel. If spotting got worst they probably would have switched me to the shots. Light spotting is normal with crinone usage but still let your Dr know if you start spotting. I don't mean to write a book but I hope these things are helpful to you. I wish someone would have told me this when I started using it. But it will get easier with time. I didn't know how I would be able to do this twice a day for 8-10 weeks! I was thinking that after a few days of using it. Now that I'm at 10 weeks I get to slowly wean off of it. Yay! I'm not going to miss those early mornings. Good luck!

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